Division Serious Games
DGA Serious Games Division
"The Netherlands has one of the best Serious Games industries in the world."
Sjoerd Wennekes is our division manager Serious Games. Sjoerd’s biggest claim to fame is that as co-founder of Tover, the company behind the Tovertafel. At launch, the world’s only scientifically validated serious games solution for people with late stage dementia. He has specialized himself in internationalization, by successfully launching Tovertafel in 16 countries. Currently, Sjoerd works freelance to help other companies with their international strategy. He is an enthusiastic keynote speaker on various entrepreneurial topics.
As board member, Sjoerd will focus on lifting the serious games industry to its next level. There is a lot of hidden and unused potential in the Netherlands. Big societal challenges such as the ageing population, climate change, urbanization & transport, the energy transition, rearming the defence forces, and many others can benefit from serious game innovations. The three main pillars will be:
- Connect key stakeholders and problem owners of the aforementioned big societal challenges, with serious games developers.
- Unify the industry and make sure we present ourselves and our examples on an international stage.
- Share knowledge in round tables and industry drinks.
The serious game sector is an important part of the Dutch Game Industry, so please join us!
NB. Want to be up to date with the latest news, developments, and events related to serious games? Sign up for our Serious Games Newsletter!
Upcoming events
DGA Serious Games Events
The following upcoming Serious Game events are co-organized by the Dutch Games Association.
Awards
Awards for Serious Games
Serious and applies games often have their own awards category. Check the list down below to see what awards there are and how you can apply!
Dutch Game Awards
The Dutch Game Awards have their own category for applied Games. It is awarded to the best game developed not for the primary purpose of entertainment, but for education, training, medical appliance, therapy, etc. Criteria include the achieved impact and general excellence in concept and execution.
The SAGANET Award
SAGANET, The Dutch association for serious games, gives out their own yearly award as a stimulus for newcomers in the field of serious game design.
Serious Games Showcase & Challenge
The primary purpose of the Challenge is to advance the concept of using games as a training/education medium. There are multiple awards to be won.
Serious Play Conference
The Serious Play Conference honors outstanding digital and board/tabletop games used for training or education and other game-based learning programs through their International Serious Play Awards.
Subsidies
Subsidies and Financial support
There are multiple options for you to look at when it comes to financing your serious games product. See the list below for a few of them that you can check out.
WBSO: tax scheme for research and development
Are you going to do Research & Development (R&D)? Or carry out technical-scientific research? Then you can easily receive a tax benefit from the WBSO (Research and Development Promotion Act).
Ugoo Subsidy List
Ugoo offers a clear description of different possible grants in the field of innovation. You can also do your own subsidy check, in order to find out whether your innovative company is eligible for a subsidy scheme.
Digital Culture Grant Scheme
The creative industries fund NL offers a Digital Culture Grant Scheme that is open for projects initiated by professional designers, makers, observers, design agencies or cultural institutions active within the field of digital culture.
Experiment Grant Scheme
The creative industries fund NL offers an Experiment Grant Scheme for small-scale, experiment-driven research projects in the fields of design, architecture, digital culture, and crossovers between them.
Midgame Fund
Midgame Fund is a group of Dutch game developers who fund games, share their experience, and connect teams with the right partners. They are open to receive pitches for your project.
Videogames & Immersive Content Development 2024
Create Europe Desk NL offers a grant scheme for developers of video games and immersive content.